Am I pushing myself too much?

[Ellaaax]

Hi all, I haven't been on here in ages because I forgot my password etc. But now I have re done it I wont be off here now 

I have had Murphy for the past 5 months and he is absolutely amazing. Everytime I see/ride him I love him even more! He's the type of horse you can just get along with straight away. Okay novices aren't the type of people he is suitable for because he is an exracer, exeventer and is a very forward ride and very reactive but once you get to trust him and he trusts you, like I have learnt, he is awesome.

I'm not sure whether it was due to not jumping him in 2 months and we were very rusty and I was worried about it anyway that he stopped twice due to getting the striding wrong, and I came off him again; due to my lack on nudging him on and being positive, he went to put an extra stride in but then thought against it, put his head down, dropped his shoulder and jumped to the side meaning me sliding down his neck and landing on the jump (oh my! my poor bottom this morning!) but ended up on a good note of 2ft9ish type height.

I know it doesn't sound like much but ever since my accident 3 years ago in the summer, I just freeze when it comes to jumping?! WHY do I always beat myself up about it because I have a horse that just takes me straight to the fence and I just give him no help what so ever! I think I'm ruining him 


What do you guys think ?


Thanks xxx

[katie]

do you have the occasional lesson on him?? if not, it could really be a confidence booster.

[Ellaaax]

That was during a lesson, and I have lessons weekly with a BSJA accredited coach, a lesson 1x every 2 months with Lionnel Dunning and also pony club rallies monthly... but I just absolutely freeze when it comes to 3 strides from the fence?!

x

[stace]

maybe take the pressure off your self, try canter poles, so you can learn how to see a stride on him, without the added pressure of it being a jump and just stick to smalll heights till your confidence is up, even if it's only 2ft, youll progress quicker if your consisitant at smaller heights with fewer mistakes rather than jumping too much too soon and losing confidence.


having said that i cant really say much as i am my own worst critique lol, and take things too serious when it goes wrong.

but just remember to have FUN!!!!

and details, not heard of this horse before?? do you still have your other one ?

[ツ♥~Haylz~♥ツ]

Ditto to everything stace said, its exactly what i tried to say last night, she just said it clearer and less rambling :)
Take a step back if it helps, go smaller so if he messes up striding, it won't effect you as much, he may catleap it, which probably won't even equal the heights your jumping at the moment, so won't knock your confidence. Also theres no rush, if you feel happy jumping say 2ft 6, do that, perfect 2ft 6 and your striding, which will build your confidence as your getting it spot on, and you will feel more confident on the whole. It makes you no less of a rider, or a unworthy rider of murphy ( if that makes sense) to go back a bit, the more you do small jumps well, its better to do that than make a hash of a bigger jump, wrecking your confidence more  I hope that makes some sense, and sorry if it doesnt, im also no expert and none of it helps probably, similar situation i was in a while back, obvious difference though i wasn't doing them heights and on RS ponies xx

[freya]

its natural to be nervous after a bad accident! 
and yes there's absoloutly no shame in taking a step back, jump a bit smaller and keep doing it regularly, once or twice a week at least whilst your getting your confidence up. dont feel like you have to jump bigger because you know he can do it, take small steps and you'll both be flying over huge jumps before you know it!
good luck kepp us upsdated xx

[|Josh|]

What Freya said! 
Im relatively new to all of this only been doing it 2 years and 2 months  although it feels like a liftime 
Like freya said start small get your confidence up and just gradually build the fences up 

[jnet]

You're not ruining him, you just haven't got that whole thinking each others thoughts thing yet!  You've only had him 5 months, there's no need to rush is there?  Take it easy on yourself, have fun and dont pressure yourself, if you're not happy with what your instructors put up, tell them, they are there to teach and for you to learn and question things as you go.  If things take a little longer dont worry, I'm sure your instructors will carry on taking your money for a little longer.